Mary Puma, CEO of Axcelis Technologies, and Tetsuro Higashi, chairman of Tokyo Electron, said they don’t believe the silicon cycle has peaked, adding that the current slowdown was a healthy sign to avoid overheating. Puma also pointed out that, in the past, semiconductor manufacturers bought equipment in “big lumps” but were now buying what they need when they need it.

(September 15, 2004) Santa Clara, Calif.&#8212Alliance Semiconductor Corporation announced that it will continue to move toward offering environmentally safe and lead-free compliant products across its entire product portfolio. The company shipped millions of devices over the course of 2003 in lead-free packaging as part of this effort.